Silver ‘s Kaonga sinks KB: Malawi TNM Super League

Two second half strikes by Malawi U-20 sensation Chawanangwa Kaonga were more than enough to hand defending TNM Super League champions Silver Strikers maximum points as the Bankers silenced struggling Kamuzu Barracks with a 2-0 beating in a match played before a good crowd at Dedza Stadium on Saturday, September 7, 2014.

The two teams played a goal-less first half before Kaonga claimed a double within a space of 14 minutes to kill off the resistance from the military side.

The striker was first on target on 73 minutes after heading in a well floated free-kick from Frank Banda.

Soon after the goal, there was some confusion as Silver’s youthful player Mike Robert went down near the centre circle after allegedly being hit by a KB player. Referee Patrick Ngoleka did not act on the complaint from Silver and resumed the game after a brief stoppage.

With three minutes to the clock, Kaonga came onto the scene again, beating KB goalkeeper Victor Nangwale with a first time hard drive from the edge of the 18-yard box after being set by Peter Wadabwa.

The goal sent Silver fans into jubilation as they started singing: Siife koma Chawanangwa, siife koma Chawanangwa.

Coach Stain Chirwa was equally over the moon after the final whistle::“It was a difficult game but the secret is that we had better preparations for this game compared to the cup final. When we were preparing for the final, most of our players were on national duty but this time we had almost the entire squad.

“Our aim is to defend the title and those who want to get championship should come and beat us,” said Chirwa after the final whistle.

His counterpart Charles Kamanga pointed fingers at the officiating personnel, claiming Silver’s first goal was scored from an off-side position:.

“The first goal was scored from a clear off-side position and this demoralized our boys. We now have to go back to the drawing board and find our winning formula because we haven’t won in three matches,” said Kamanga.